[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING TOPSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN F. TIERNEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2000

  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, Topsfield, Massachusetts is observing a 
year-long celebration of the 350th anniversary of its founding as a 
town by the General Court of the Commonwealth in 1650. The observance 
will not only reflect upon the town's proud history, but will look with 
optimism toward the future.
  When Governor John Winthrop arrived in Salem harbor in 1630, 
Masconomet, the sagamore of the Agawam tribe, who lived in the 
Topsfield area, welcomed him. The regional high school is named for 
Masconomet, who always lived peacefully with his new neighbors.
  The early settlers of Topsfield, named after Toppesfield, England, 
were mostly farmers. But as British encroachment on their liberty 
through passage of various taxes escalated through the late 1600s and 
the 1700s, they became more and more concerned about defending against 
attack. On April 19, 1775, 110 of Topsfield's citizenry in two 
companies joined with other towns in a march to Lexington and Concord 
to fight the redcoats at the very beginning of the Revolutionary War. 
Topsfield citizens have served with distinction in every war since.
  While the town's character has changed through the years from farming 
to light manufacture and small business, it has retained its rural 
character. It is home each autumn to the Topsfield Fair, the Nation's 
oldest agricultural exposition. Its Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is 
the largest sanctuary in the Massachusetts Audubon system.
  A number of famous people have called Topsfield home. The Stanley 
family of the Stanley Steamer automobile arrived in 1659 and lived in 
the town until 1778. The ancestors of two leaders of the Mormon Church, 
Joseph Smith, its founder, and Brigham Young, its second president, 
were near neighbors in Topsfield.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, Topsfield stands at the beginning of this new 
century looking optimistically toward a bright future while celebrating 
its long and proud heritage. A time capsule is being assembled that 
will include essays by fourth graders about what life was like in the 
year 2000, as well as recollections of seniors about the century just 
past. To those residents of Topsfield in the year 2100, as well as to 
the town's current citizens, may I add my sincere congratulations and 
best wishes.

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